Frequently Asked Questions...
What is Cellulose?
The term "cellulose" refers to the base fibre for all plant life. Wood, paper and other plant-based products all are cellulosic materials. Today's cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper products and treated with borates to make it fire and vermin retardant.
Originally manufactured as a sound deadener, paper-based cellulose has caught on as an effective, dense insulation material. With increasing energy costs, demand for insulation has increased and today cellulose insulation is one of the major products being installed. Today's cellulose insulation is a safe, fire and vermin resistant product with important performance advantages over other products.
How does this type of insulation work?
Bulk insulation such as cellulose works by having sufficient density to effectively prevent convection through the product but still low enough density to avoid conduction.
The optimal density of cellulose means that for a given thickness you will obtain the highest R value. Also as cellulose has a constant and low thermal conductivity for all practical installation densities and temperature differences the R value can always be verified by simply measuring the installation thickness.
Which insulation is best for the environment?
Cellulose...naturally. The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the environmental impact of all insulation products during their total life cycle (i.e. from their manufacture to their removal at the end of the life of a building) shows that cellulose is the world's leading environmentally friendly insulation. In addition to saving more energy cellulose insulation is a product made from paper diverted from waste with borate flame retardant added which means Cellulose insulation has low embodied energy, is long lasting and is non-irritating.
Does cellulose attract insects & vermin?
No. Cellulose is treated with non-toxic 'harmless-to-humans' fire retardants which also repel vermin and insects. Other Australian-manufactured insulation products are known to harbour vermin & insects.
Is cellulose insulation easily installed?
Yes. Cellulose is easily installed by ACIMA members' trained staff in accordance with Australian building standards.
What are cellulose insulation's fire safety properties like?
Excellent. Because it's an organic material, cellulose is treated with fire retardants. It is the only common wood fibre based residential and light commercial construction material that always receives such treatment. This process makes cellulose insulation one of the safest construction materials on the Australian market.
Scientific studies of actual fires and demonstration burns have proven that the dense fibre structure of fire-retarded cellulose actually slows the spread of fire, protecting ceiling joists & plaster from the spread of fire. This results in a fire being contained at its ignition point, thus preventing further damage.
Does Cellulose insulation comply with Australian building regulations?
Yes. Cellulose insulation complies with all Australian State and Federal building regulations and is engineered to comply with AS/NZS4859.1 'Materials for the thermal insulation of buildings', which is the Australian product standard for cellulose insulation.
